WATER TALK

Regional Council's Tackling Leaks

As part of its Water Loss Reduction Program, Ballina Shire Council recently undertook acoustic leak detection work across our water supply network.

This work was funded through the NSW State Government Regional Water Loss Reduction Program. Rous County Council also participated in the acoustic leak detection program across its network.

For Ballina Shire Council, this work has resulted in 180 leaks being detected. Of these, 35% were on private lines where we were able to notify the customer of a leak and inform them of water they may be paying for though not using.

The remaining 65% of leaks detected were on Council assets. While most of these leaks were very small leaks on hydrants and valves (less than 2 litres per hour or five buckets a day), the 21 largest leaks (more than a bucket an hour) were on Council mains.

Council is now working through a program of repairing the identified leaks, combining this work with planned renewal and replacement works where possible.

Ballina Shire Council has invested significantly in water loss reduction across its water supply network, including the establishment of Pressure Management Zones. These zones allow monitoring of water flows through the network, as well as the management of pressure to minimise water loss in the system. Council also continues to invest in replacing old water mains and meters. Implementing new technology and infrastructure upgrades is enabling us to improve our monitoring of the system, detect leaks and other losses and respond accordingly.

Councils across the Rous County Council supply footprint continue to share learnings from this work and similar leak detection initiatives.

For more information about this program visit dpie.nsw.gov.au/ water/plans-and-programs/ water-efficiency/regionalleakage-reduction-program

Recycled water coming to West Ballina

A new recycled water main is being constructed in West Ballina.

The main connects to existing infrastructure at Fishery Creek and will run through to Paperbark Close, West Ballina, with most of the alignment following Kalinga Street.

These works are part of Council’s ongoing commitment to improve our shire’s water assets. The new recycled water main will help to reduce regional demand on drinking water supplies by offering recycled water to current customers (identified businesses) and future customers including developments in West Ballina that will be capable of connecting to recycled water. Works are expected to be completed by the end of March 2023.

Check online for water outage updates

Do you know where to go for water outage information?

Both planned and unplanned water interruptions are published on our website at ballina.nsw.gov.au/WaterOutage

So if you’re ever experiencing low water pressure, or a water interruption, please check online to see if there’s an outage near you.

You’ll also find information on how to report a water leak and helpful water outage tips.

Wipes go in the waste

Antibacterial wipes might be handy for cleaning, but unfortunately there’s an abundance in our community’s wastewater network.

These products often claim they are ‘flushable’, but we are here to tell you that is not the case. Cleaning, makeup and baby wipes are all made with reinforced material that does not break down like toilet paper. This causes a lot of problems and blockages within our wastewater network, and on average council is fixing three wet wipe blockages a week. These often happen overnight and ultimately the staffing and material costs are worn by the ratepayer.

You are more than welcome to use wipes to keep your surfaces sanitised, we just don’t welcome them down the toilet. Instead, keep your toilet to the three Ps – poo, paper and pee!